New York, USA Cricket has taken a significant step to avoid disqualification as an ICC Associate nation by appointing Jonathan Atkieson as its Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1. Earlier this month, the ICC put USAC ‘on notice’ for failing to meet two key requirements: the absence of a CEO and non-compliance with governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
To maintain its status as a National Governing Body, which is essential for all sports included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, every sports governing body must adhere to these norms. The International Olympic Committee approved the inclusion of cricket in the LA 2028 Games during its 141st Session and Executive Board meeting in Mumbai last year.
“USA Cricket has announced the appointment of Johnathan Atkeison as its new CEO, effective August 1st, 2024,” stated the USAC on its website.
Atkieson, who most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of USA Rugby, brings over 15 years of experience with national governing bodies.
“I’m honoured to join the team at USA Cricket. It’s an incredible time for the sport in the United States with the historic performance of the men’s national team in the recent T20 World Cup, the completion of the second season of Major League Cricket, and the first opportunity to showcase cricket in the Olympics here on home soil during the LA28 Games,” Atkieson said.
“Our goal is to build a world-class organisation to capitalise on that momentum and firmly establish cricket’s position in the American sporting landscape,” he added.
Atkieson is credited with guiding USA Rugby through a financial restructuring in 2020, followed by four years of rapid growth and development.